Εξωτερικές συνδέσεις

The Energy Community Treaty (ECT)The Energy Community Treaty (ECT) was signed in 2005. Its principal objective is to expand the EU internal energy market to neighbouring countries ('Contracting States') that are willing to adopt the EU energy acquis. The Energy Community (EnC) includes a permanent secretariat based in Vienna and a set of decision-making institutions. The Ministerial Council meets annually and makes all key strategic decisions. Detailed preparatory work is carried out by the Permanent High-Level Group, which meets more frequently. The EnC Secretariat is responsible for monitoring, assisting and enforcing implementation of the energy acquis in the Contracting States. The EU institutions strongly support the objectives of the Energy Community (EnC), and the European Commission plays a lead role in its decision-making processes. Yet shortcomings have been identified in the way that EnC institutions currently operate, with weak implementation of the energy acquis among several Contracting States and inadequate tools for enforcement. Questions have also been raised about the potential membership of the EnC, whether it should be widened and made more flexible. A high-level group was commissioned to look into improving the governance structures of the EnC and delivered its report in May 2014; this was followed by a detailed stakeholder consultation in early 2015. Some decisions on the functioning of the EnC may be taken at the next Ministerial Council in Tirana on 16 October 2015.

Guardian Environment

Elusive and endangered white-letter hairstreak discovered in a field in the Scottish borders could become the 34th species to live and breed in the country Scotland has a new species of butterfly: the elusive and endangered white-letter hairstreak has been[…]

Qualified graduates are struggling to find paid jobs and many give up to pursue a different career. The result is a net loss for conservation work, reports MongabayNika Levikov swore she would never work as a waitress again. But, today[…]

Supermarkets selling out-of-date produce and apps that identify food at risk of being binned are part of an ambitious plan to slash the nation’s food waste“They might not taste quite the same,” says Naeeh Ahmed, 37, holding up for inspection[…]

The Ride of the Falling Rain on the Hebridean island of Islay has no entry fee, route card or medals, but its laidback, friendly vibe keeps riders coming back despite the weatherThe Ride of the Falling Rain is an annual[…]

Prof John Underhill argues that geology is fundamental but has been forgotten in assessments of UK’s shale gas capabilityFracking for oil and gas in the UK may produce much less fuel – and profits – than has been mooted, according[…]

This in-depth analysis addresses the implications of several scenarios of the UK withdrawing from the EU in relation to the EU Customs Union, the Internal Market law for Goods and Services, and on Consumer Protection law, identifying the main cross-cutting[…]

The aim of this study is to exploit existing data and information on the access of women with disabilities to the labour market, in order to assess how multiple discrimination – gender and disability – affects the employment opportunities of[…]

Upon request by the Committee on Legal Affairs, this study analysis is mapping across all 28 EU Member States the representation of women and men in legal professions. The aim of this study is to identify areas where women or[…]

Over the years, the EU has been moving away from the production of labour-intensive, low-value products so as to specialise in higher-value, branded goods. With its open economy, trade is essential to the EU. To overcome barriers to trade and[…]

The digital single market is one of the most promising and challenging areas of progress, creating potential efficiency gains of EUR 415 billion. It opens up new opportunities to boost the economy through e-commerce, while at the same time facilitating administrative and[…]

Research carried out for the European Parliament indicates that effective consumer protection policy is essential for an efficient and well-functioning European market[1]. Improved transparency and better informed transactions resulting from well designed and implemented consumer policy result not only in[…]

Public authorities conclude contracts to ensure the supply of works and delivery of services. These contracts, concluded in exchange for remuneration with one or more operators, are called public contracts and represent an important part of the EU’s GDP. However,[…]

This paper provides an analysis of two crucial and interconnected aspects of the current legal framework on the investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF): the procedural safeguards for the individuals subject to the administrative investigations conducted by OLAF[…]

National provisions against tax avoidance and tax evasion, and money laundering laws and their enforcement vary widely from one Member State to the next. This study examines the administrative capabilities of EU Member States when it comes to tackling these[…]

European Environment Protection Agency

Ammonia (NH3) emissions in Europe have fallen since 1990, but not as much as emissions of other air pollutants tracked under an internationally agreed United Nations Convention. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today, ammonia emissions increased[…]

Coal-fired power plants across Europe are responsible for the largest amounts of key pollutants released into the air, according to a briefing and updated industrial pollution data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today.

European countries need to rapidly step up efforts and define their investment needs and plans to match their objectives in shifting to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. This is the key finding of a stocktaking briefing published by the European Environment[…]

In the face of challenges like drought and growing demand in many European Union countries, managing water supplies will require a better mix of pricing and non-pricing measures to ensure efficient household water use, according to a new European Environment[…]

Eleven EU Member States breached air pollution ceilings in 2015 mostly due to high emissions from agricultural and transport sources, according to new data and a briefing released today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The briefing includes information on[…]

The Arctic region is warming at a rate of almost twice the global average, resulting in profound and rapid changes in its living conditions and the environment. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report, published today, looks at how the rest[…]

Making products like mobile phones and other consumer goods last longer and easier to repair and reuse will be key to the shift towards a more resource-efficient circular economy. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report published today stresses that ‘circular’[…]

Total European Union greenhouse gas emissions increased by 0.5 % in 2015, according to new European Environment Agency (EEA) data published today. Transport was a key reason for that increase: better fuel efficiency in that sector was not enough to[…]

More than 85 percent of bathing water sites monitored across Europe in 2016 met the most stringent ‘excellent’ quality standards — meaning they were mostly free from pollutants harmful to human health and the environment, according to the annual bathing[…]

Biodiversity plays a key role in the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services essential for human well-being. However, Europe's biodiversity continues to be eroded, and the main EU target of 'halting the loss of biodiversity and the[…]